Calene L. (Ziska) SMITH

SMITH, ZISKA, LARSON, CHRISTIANS, CARTER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:41

September 23, 1925 ----- September 9, 2018

Calene L. Smith, 93, of Kanawha, Iowa passed away Sunday, September 9, 2018 at the Kanawha Community Home. Funeral services for Calene Smith will be Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church, 402 North Main Street in Kanawha, with Pastor Mark Heath officiating. Burial will be held at the Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Calene was born on the Ziska family farm south of Kanawha on September 3, 1925. She was the only child of Harry L. and Sena J. (Larson) Ziska. She attended Norway #5 Country School for eight years and then attended Clarion Public School where she received Normal Training to become a teacher. After one year of summer school at Iowa State Teachers’ College in Cedar Falls, she returned to her country school to teach. After attending summer school for six years, Calene obtained her teaching degree from Iowa State Teachers’ College. At that time, she accepted a teaching position for the 7-8th grade department in the Kanawha Public School district.

In 1949, she met W. David Smith while roller skating at Lake Cornelia. They married on November 9, 1952. She continued teaching until the following year, but substituted for many years in the Kanawha School District. David and Calene are the proud parents of two daughters, Linda of Des Moines, Iowa and Janet of Ankeny, Iowa.

Most of their married life (65 years), was spent on the Smith family farm near Kanawha, they farmed and raised livestock for many years. Calene enjoyed working in the yard and helping with the farm work, especially driving the tractor and combine.

Calene was very involved in community and church organizations and once served as the secretary for four different organizations at the same time. She was a long-time member of the Kanawha United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, Bible school and was very active in many church organizations. She was a member of the Kanawha Women’s Legion Auxiliary, Women’s Club and the Neighborhood Birthday Club. While her daughters were active in the Amsterdam Pacemakers 4-H club, Calene served as club leader and was very involved in all aspects of the club activities.

David cared for Calene for many years on the farm, due to her eyesight and health. In August of 2016 Calene entered the Kanawha Community Care Center. The staff took wonderful care of her, as well as welcoming David and their family.

Calene was preceded in death by her mother and father, son-in-law Merlin Christians and her brother-in-law, Eugene Smith. She is survived by her husband, W. David, her daughters, Linda (Dale) Carter and Janet Christians and their families and friends.

http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries/calene-l-smith/